Types Of Birch Trees
Defined Tag: Birch Tree.
There are several types of birch trees available on the market today for landscape use. There are the European White Birch, Heritage River Birch, Paper Birch, Yellow Birch, River Birch, Weeping Birch, White Birch, Jacquemonti Birch and Crimson Frost Birch. Each variety of tree has its own preferred growing conditions, disease resistant quality’s and bark colors. In general, birch trees can grow as high as 40 to 50 feet and are considered a medium size tree. The addition of a birch tree to your existing landscape will be well worth the effort.
*The European White Birch has a white bark that does not peel and turns black as it gets older. This birch is susceptible to an insect called leaf miner. This larva tunnels between the upper and lower layer of the birch leaves, which turns the leaf brown. It is also highly susceptible to another insect called bronze birch borer. This tree is very susceptible to insect problems and usually is not recommended for landscaping.
*The Weeping Birch is a variety of European white birch. It has a white bark that peels. This birch is also susceptible to an insect called leaf miner and highly susceptible to the bronze birch borer.
*The River Birch has salmon colored bark and turns dark red brown as it ages. This birch is susceptible to leaf miner although the attacks are not as severe. This type of birch is resistant to an insect called bronze birch borer. This tree does well on wet soils and will also do well on drier soils. However, this tree is sensitive to high alkaline soils that have a PH higher then 6.5.
*Heritage River Birch is a variety of the native river birch, has salmon colored bark, which also peels and is lighter in color than the native river birch. It is susceptible to leaf miner and resistant to the bronze birch borer just like the native river birch. This tree does well on wet soils and will also do well on drier soils. However, this tree is sensitive to high alkaline soils that have a PH higher then 6.5.
*The Paper Birch when young has brown bark but turns white as the tree ages. It is also susceptible to leaf miner and the bronze birch borer insects. It does well in northern climates and will tolerate alkaline soils.
*The Jacquemonti Birch tree has white bark that peels and is typically not recommend as a good landscape tree because it is highly susceptible to the bronze birch borer.
*The Crimson Frost Birch has a white bark with cinnamon tones that also peels. This tree has deep red leaves and its fall foliage varies from crimson to orange yellow, It prefers moist soil and also does well in heavy clay soils. This trees insect susceptibility is unknown.
*The Yellow birch has a yellow orange bark that peels and turns to a reddish brown as it ages. It is moderately susceptible to the bronze birch borer and is resistant to leaf miner. This birch can be grown in more shade like areas than other birches and requires a cool moist planting area.
*The White Birch trees when young have brown bark and will turn white when the tree ages. The bark on this tree also peels. It is susceptible to leaf miner and moderately susceptible to the bronze birch borer. This tree will tolerate alkaline soils well.
In Summary: When choosing a birch tree select the appropriate species that will do well in the region you live in. Plan and select the proper location in your existing landscaping to plant the tree. Remember birches can reach heights of 40 to 50 feet high. Birches do require some basic amount of care. Good practices for maintaining healthy birch trees are mulching, adequate watering, fertilizing and pruning.